Running with a legal +0.1 wind, the 20-year-old powered clear in the final stages to claim Thailand’s first Asian Games 100m title since 1978. His time ranks as the second-fastest ever by an Asian sprinter, behind only China’s Su Bingtian.
Boonson’s progression through the rounds was exceptional. He opened with a season’s best of 9.95 in the heats, then improved to 9.91 in the semi-finals to break the previous Games record. In the final he went even faster, stopping the clock at 9.90 to complete a remarkable three-race sequence.
Oman’s Ali Al Balushi took silver in 10.04, while his compatriot Malham Al Balushi claimed bronze in 10.11.
The victory marks a historic moment for Thai athletics. Boonson becomes only the third Thai man to win the Asian Games 100m title, following Anat Ratanapol in 1974 and Suchart Jairsuraparp in 1978 — a gap of 48 years.
His performance also underlines the rapid rise of Thai sprinting on the continental stage. The young star has steadily lowered his times over recent seasons and delivered his best when it mattered most on the biggest stage in Asia.
The result provided one of the standout moments of the athletics programme in Nagoya and sent Thai fans into celebration. Boonson’s combination of speed, consistency across the rounds and composure in the final confirmed his status as the new force in Asian sprinting.
Attention will now turn to whether the Thai star can continue his form in the 200 metres or future major championships, but Friday’s gold already ranks among the most significant achievements in the country’s athletics history.